obey his
directions; he on his part promised that the treasure, should they
succeed in finding it, would be divided share and share alike amongst
their number. And thus the list was filled.

The band consisted so far of Tom Cannon and Black Harry, two of the
foremast hands; Jasper the black steward, and Josh the cook, another
darkey, as has been already mentioned; besides Seth and Sailor Bill,
whom Seth stoutly declared his intention, with Mr Rawlings' consent, of
taking with him, declining the skipper's proposal of giving him up to
the British Consul when they arrived at Boston, so that he might be sent
home to England as a lunatic sailor at the government expense.

"Nary a bit," said Seth; "whar I goes, thaar goes he, poor chap! Under
Providence, he saved my life; and under Providence I'll never desart
him, Cap, till he chooses to cast off the hawser hisself!"

Mr Rawlings encouraged the seaman in his resolution; for he took great
interest in the lad, and looked forward to noting any change in his
mental condition, whom he firmly believed would some day be suddenly
restored to his senses by some similar mode to that by which he had been
deprived of the proper use of his faculties.

STORY ONE, CHAPTER SIX.

MINTURNE CREEK.

When the _Susan Jane's_ anchor was dropped, and the longshore men came
on board to unload cargo, the little party of Mr Rawlings' followers
went on shore, drew their pay, and took their discharge; and then, after
a few days' stay, took rail for Chicago, where Mr Rawlings was to join
them, to make the final preparations for their start to the Far West.

They reached Chicago before the "Boss," as they called Mr Rawlings, as
that gentleman had several business arrangements to make in New York.

At Chicago, Seth met an old western friend of his, Noah Webster, who had
just returned from a mining expedition in Arizona.

After much talk of their Californian days, Seth told him that he was
going as lieutenant to an English gentleman who was getting up a mining
expedition to Dakota.

"I want eight or ten good miners, afraid neither of work nor Indians."

"What pay?" Noah asked laconically.

"Two dollars a day each, and all grub; double to you, Noah, if you will
get a good gang together and come with us."

"It's a bargain," said Noah. "I could put my hand on twenty good men
to-morrow; half of 'em were out with me. I will pick you ten of the
best. And they ought to be that, for it wil